A cobalt-free perovskite-type La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Cr0.1O3−α cathode for proton-conducting intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A cobalt-free perovskite-type cathode material La0.6Sr0.4Fe0.9Cr0.1O3−α (LSFC10) was prepared by a citric acid–nitrate process and investigated as a potential cathode material for proton-conducting intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The maximum conductivity of LSFC10 reached 138 S cm−1 under oxygen at 550 °C. A Ni-BZCY composite anode-supported proton-conducting BaZr0.1Ce0.7Y0.2O3−α (BZCY) electrolyte membrane was successfully fabricated by a simple, cost-effective spin coating process. The peak power densities of the H2/O2 fuel cell using BZCY electrolyte membrane, Ni-BZCY composite anode and LSFC10 cathode reached 412 mW cm−2, and the interfacial polarization resistance for the fuel cell was as low as 0.19 Ω cm2 under open circuit conditions, at 700 °C. These results reveal LSFC10 is a suitable cathode material for proton-conducting IT-SOFCs.

► A cobalt-free cathode material LSFC10 for IT-SOFCs was prepared and studied in detail.
► The conductivity of LSFC10 reached 138 S cm−1 under oxygen at 550 °C.
► An anode-supported BZCY electrolyte membrane was successfully fabricated by a simple spin coating process.
► Power density of the ceramic membrane fuel cell using LSFC10 as cathode reached 412 mW cm−2 at 700 °C.